World Tuberculosis Day reminds us all of the important work under way to eradicate this highly infectious and sometimes fatal disease, but also that more needs to be done to save lives across the Pacific and globally.

“We’ve achieved significant progress in the detection and treatment of tuberculosis cases in the Pacific region in recent years, but a renewed effort is essential to ‘reach, treat and cure everyone’,” according to a Tuberculosis Epidemiologist at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Jojo Merilles.

Twelve Pacific Island health professionals from seven countries, who participated in the first module of a Pacific Operational Research course at the beginning of September, have developed research protocols on several health topics — tuberculosis, diabetes, other non-communicable diseases and leprosy – of particular concern to their country.

Tuberculosis and diabetes mellitus are strongly associated; people with diabetes are three times more likely to develop tuberculosis than people without diabetes.In the Pacific- where the prevalence of both diseases is high in some countries- this dual burden of disease is an important public health issue. In response, standards to manage TB and diabetes have been developed.

At a recent meeting in Palau, Pacific tuberculosis (TB) experts have called for increased commitment to improving both the care for people with diabetes and tuberculosis, and prevention of the two diseases.

Experts from national TB and non-communicable disease programmes gathered at the combined Pacific Stop TB and Pacific Island TB Controllers Association meeting to discuss the convergence of TB and diabetes and to promote better ways of managing this dual epidemic.